Event Guide

Provincial Flood Forecasting and Warning Workshop

Tuesday, October 1 and Wednesday, October 2, 2024
9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Pearson Convention Centre – HALL F
2638 Steeles Ave East, Brampton, ON L6T 4L7

Images of the Hurricane Hazel devastation in the GTA. Source: TRCA

Welcome Message

Source: Upper Thames River Conservation Authority

Welcome to the annual Provincial Flood Forecasting and Warning Workshop!

We are excited to have you join us for this event, organized by the Provincial Flood Forecasting and Warning Committee (PFFWC) and hosted by Conservation Ontario and Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA).

The PFFWC brings together local, provincial, and federal agencies and partners in order to establish the Flood Forecasting and Warning guidelines and support their implementation, create training opportunities, and strengthen partnerships within our community.

Flooding at the Dixie-Dundas intersection during the July 16 flood event in the Greater Toronto Area. Source: TRCA

This workshop is an opportunity for flood forecasting and warning practitioners to come together, collaborate, and share knowledge. Our goal is to create a space where you can network, receive valuable training, and discuss the achievements and challenges of our important work.

This year’s theme, Reflecting on the Legacy of Hurricane Hazel through 70 Years of Progress in Flood Forecasting and Warning Systems, is an opportunity to reflect on the past and look forward to the future.

A view of Raymore Drive, Toronto, in the aftermath of Hurricane Hazel 1954. Source: TRCA

Over the next two days, we will hear presentations on disaster preparedness, advancements in data and tools, and the collaborations and communications that make effective early warning systems possible.

Thank you for being here. We look forward to your active participation in the discussions and learning opportunities ahead!

Committee Members

The PFFWW 2024 Subcommittee membership, as volunteered:

Workshop Highlights

DAY 1

• Morning: Historical context and meteorological insights on Hurricane Hazel, concluding with a storm exposé.
• Afternoon: Focus on community resilience, disaster preparedness plans, Indigenous initiatives, and dam emergency response.

DAY 2

• Morning: Advancements in flood forecasting tools, challenges in hydrometric data collection, and hydraulic modeling for flood warnings.
• Afternoon: Municipal flood projects, collaborative partnerships, community response strategies, and city flood protection initiatives.

Location Information

Washrooms are located on the west and east side of the venue.

In case of fire, evacuate immediately using the nearest exit, and proceed to the designated assembly area in the east end of the parking lot without re-entering the building until it is declared safe.

Participant Information

The audience includes representatives from the Ministry of Natural Resources, conservation authorities, Ontario Power Generation, municipalities and regions, as well as Provincial Emergency Management staff.

We recommend connecting with participants during breaks and on LinkedIn.

DAY 1 – October 1, 2024

THEMES:

• Hurricane Hazel Reflection
• Community Resilience and Disaster Preparedness

FACILITATORS:

• Morning: Jo-Anne Rzadki, Manager, Business Development and Partnerships, Conservation Ontario
• Afternoon: Rita Lucero, Manager, Flood Emergency Management, Development and Engineering Services, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA)

DAY 2 – October 2, 2024

THEMES:

• Flood Forecasting & Warning Tools and Resources
• Municipal Flood Projects

FACILITATORS:

• Morning: Iryna Shulyarenko, Hydrometric Specialist, Surface Water Monitoring Centre, Regional Operations Division, Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR)
• Afternoon: Vahid Taleban, Manager of Flood Operations, Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA)

Survey

We value your feedback and invite you to participate in our workshop survey. When you complete the survey, you will be automatically entered into a draw for a chance to win one of several prizes.

Your input is helping us improve future events. Please don’t miss out on this opportunity to share your thoughts!

COMPLETE THE SURVEY NOW

Presenters & Abstracts

DAY 1 – October 1, 2024

Chris Jones | David Phillips

Ontario’s Conservation Authorities and Hurricane Hazel’s Legacy: Preparing for Ontario’s Next Big Storm
ABSTRACT:
Hurricane Hazel was not the first but was the deadliest and one of the most impactful tropical storms to affect Ontario. While deadly and destructive, Hazel made Ontario safer because of the lessons the province learned.
PRESENTERS:
	Chris Jones, Director, Planning and Regulation, Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority (CLOCA) Chris Jones is a professional planner with over 20 years of experience in the municipal and conservation authority sectors. His experience includes time as a campaigner with Ontario Nature, a policy planner with the Region of Peel, and 10 years with Toronto Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) as a development planner. Since 2015, he has been the Director of Planning and Regulation for the Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority (CLOCA) He is a member of the Ontario Professional Planners Institute and Canadian Institute of Planners, and holds a Bachelor of Urban and Regional Planning with a minor in Public Administration from Toronto Metropolitan University. Chris has lived in southwestern and eastern Ontario as well as the GTA.
	David Phillips, Senior Climatologist, Environment and Climate Change Canada, (ECCC) David Phillips has been employed with Environment Canada’s weather service for over 55 years. His work activities relate to the study of the climate of Canada and to promoting awareness and understanding of meteorology. He has published several books, papers, and reports, including a book on The Climates of Canada, and two bestsellers: The Day Niagara Falls Ran Dry and Blame It On The Weather. He was the originator and author of the Canadian Weather Trivia Calendar. David frequently appears on national radio and television as a commentator on weather and climate matters. He has been awarded the Commemorative Medal for the 125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada, the Queen Elizabeth Golden and Diamond Jubilee Medals, and has twice received the Public Service Merit Award. David is the recipient of honourary doctorates from the universities of Waterloo and Windsor and Nipissing University. In 2001, David was named to the Order of Canada.

 

Benjamin O’Reilly | Jeff Wong

Storms Exposé
ABSTRACT:
Throughout history, storms have been a constant challenge for humanity. As we mark 70 years since the impact of Hurricane Hazel, it’s essential to reflect on recent storms and the lessons they offer. By examining these events, we can gain valuable insights into improving our preparedness and response to future storms.
PRESENTERS:
	Benjamin O’Reilly, Flood Forecasting & Operations Technologist, Conservation Halton (HRCA) Ben has been working at Conservation Halton for the past eight years and has worked for Conservation Authorities for 12 years. He is a Flood Duty Officer and Dam Operator, and is responsible for the planning, construction, operation, and maintenance of the hydroclimate gauge network. A student of extreme events and climate change, Ben enjoys consulting long data sets to see just how wild our weather is getting.
	Jeff Wong, Senior Water Operations Engineer, Credit Valley Conservation (CVC) Jeff Wong has been working at Credit Valley Conservation for the past 25 years and started leading the flood forecasting team in 2009. Since that time, he has experienced several major floods relating to thunderstorms and learnt something from each event. Jeff is grateful that he is able to share some of this thoughts about thunderstorms at the workshop. Jeff is also currently serving as the GTA Regional Rep on the Provincial Flood Forecasting and Warning Committee.

 

Jim Lethbridge

City of Ottawa – Freshet Preparedness Planning, Response, and Reliance on Flood Forecasting and Warning Partnerships
ABSTRACT:
The City of Ottawa presentation will focus on the relationship between the City, local Conservation Authorities, Ottawa River Regulatory Planning Board, and other local water managers. We will also discuss how the City of Ottawa organizes its spring freshet and related monitoring and response activities.
PRESENTER:
	Jim Lethbridge, Program Manager, Public Works, City of Ottawa Jim Lethbridge is a Program Manager with the City of Ottawa Public Works Department. Jim has been involved with Freshet preparations and responses since 2017, supporting emergency and routine responses in both operational and emergency management roles. In recent years, he has worked closely with the City of Ottawa Office of Emergency Management, Public Works teams, local Conservation Authorities and local Flood Forecasting and Warning partners to help refine and implement internal City preparedness and response processes.

 

Katherine Watson | Iryna Shulyarenko

FFW in the Lower Ottawa River: Partnerships and Tools for Effective Early Warnings
ABSTRACT:
The The Flood Forecasting and Warning system for the Lower Ottawa River is a collaborative effort involving federal, provincial, and conservation authority staff. This presentation will introduce the important partnership between the Ottawa River Regulation Committee, the Ministry of Natural Resources, Mississippi Valley CA, Rideau Valley CA, and South Nation Conservation. It will explain the roles and functions of each organization and how effective communication and tools supported flood warnings during the spring 2023 flooding along the Ottawa River.
PRESENTERS:
	Katherine Watson, Coordinator – Early Warning Systems and Watershed Plans, South Nation Conservation Katherine Watson has worked at South Nation Conservation since 2008 in various roles and now coordinates early warning systems at the Conservation Authority, including the Flood Forecasting and Warning and Low Water Response programs. Her current interests include flood risk assessment and climate change vulnerability assessment and adaptation action and how these tools can reduce impacts associated with flooding. She is an active member on several Provincial Committees including the Provincial Flood Forecasting and Warning Committee and the Ontario Hydrometric Program Coordinating Committee and enjoys working with external partners to advance Early Warning. Kat is a mom to four awesome humans and enjoys camping and hiking adventures with her family.
	Iryna Shulyarenko, Hydrometric Specialist, Surface Water Monitoring Centre I Regional Operations Division, Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) Iryna Shulyarenko has more than 25 years of experience in flood forecasting, hydrology, and water resources management. After obtaining her Master’s and Ph.D. degrees from Kyiv Taras Shevchenko University in Ukraine, she continued working in academia before moving to Canada. After a short assignment with the MECP, she took a job as hydrologist at Kawartha Conservation, where she spent the next 19 years of her carrier. At Kawartha Conservation, she looked after all aspects of water resources, including but not limited to leading the Flood Forecasting and Warning and Ontario Low Water Response programs; developing conservation authority policy documents and reports; conducting hands-on flow monitoring for a variety of the Kawartha Conservation programs and projects; continuously enhancing the Kawartha Conservation streamflow, climate and groundwater monitoring networks. In 2022 she moved to the Ministry of the Natural Resources and Forestry – Surface Water Monitoring Centre and now continues doing what she loves the most: providing flood forecasting and warning to the people of Ontario, keeping them safe.

 

Craig Mitchell

Safeguarding Downstream Communities: TRCA Dam Emergency Preparedness Plans (EPP)
ABSTRACT:
The Dam Emergency Preparedness Plan presentation will outline key strategies for managing dam-related emergencies, focusing on the development of the plans and response coordination. Attendees will gain insights into best practices for developing and implementing effective emergency plans to mitigate potential hazards and protect communities downstream.
PRESENTER:
	Craig Mitchell, Senior Manager, Flood Infrastructure and Hydrometrics within Engineering Services, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) Craig Mitchell is the Senior Manager, Flood Infrastructure and Hydrometrics within Engineering Services at TRCA. He has 25 years experience with the operation, maintenance, repair, and construction of dams, dikes, flood control channels, and erosion control infrastructure. He also oversees TRCA’s Hydrometric Program that specializes in the measurement of stream flow and precipitation which supports flood plain mapping, flood warning, watershed planning, dam operations, and infrastructure design.

 

James Bryant | Lina Florian

From Watch to Warning, and Everything After: Unpacking the Essex August 2023 Flood Event
ABSTRACT:
34 years after the infamous “Harrow Flood”, widespread flooding occurred across the Essex Region in August 2023, sparking visions of 1989 for many residents within Harrow, Colchester, and surrounding communities. The August 2023 storm event flooded properties and homes, washed out roads, and left another scar on the Windsor-Essex Region. ERCA staff completed an evaluation of the storm event, completed coarse delineations of various flood extents for impacted communities in support of successful Disaster Recovery Assistance applications, and noted some lessons learned.
PRESENTERS:
	James Bryant, P.Eng., Director of Watershed Management Services, Essex Region Conservation Authority James Bryant is a professional engineer with the Essex Region Conservation Authority (ERCA) working as the Director of Watershed Management Services (WMS). In this role, he oversees all aspects related the Flood Forecasting and Warning program, regulations, compliance and enforcement, and Planning and Engineering services. James’ career spans over 10 years working in both the private and public sectors where he has delivered water resource related engineering services, forged relationships across varying levels of government, and lead multidisciplinary teams on local and regional scale projects. His work has been within the public realm since 2010 where his focus was on preparing Engineer’s Reports under the Drainage Act with Dillon Consulting Ltd., followed by over 7 years leading Municipal Class Environmental Assessments for the region’s upper tier municipality, the Count of Essex. In 2018, James began his career with ERCA, leading the Engineering Services group prior to accepting the role of Director of WMS in 2020.
	Lina Florian, P.Eng., Watershed Engineer, Essex Region Conservation Authority Lina Florian is the Watershed Engineer at the Essex Region Conservation Authority, where she plays a pivotal role in supporting development reviews by applying engineering principles, policies, and regulations. With a strong foundation in both public and private sectors, Lina contributes to the review of hazard-related studies, Environmental Assessments, and Master Plans to ensure that development projects adhere to sustainable practices and regulatory requirements. She has extensive experience in consulting, particularly in applying hydrologic and hydraulic (H&H) engineering principles and using various H&H modeling tools to conduct floodplain and asset condition assessment studies. Lina has also supported development strategies through the design of new stormwater management infrastructure and improvements to existing infrastructure level of service, and the mitigation of related environmental risks in the local community. Her multidisciplinary expertise, combined with a passion for continuous learning, drives her commitment to sustainable development and effective flood risk management.

 

DAY 2 – October 2, 2024

Juraj Cunderlik | Daniel Post

From Data to Decisions: Advancements in Datalogging and DPC Tools
ABSTRACT:
Advancements in daily planning cycles (DPC) for flood forecasting and warning are improving the timeliness and effectiveness of flood forecasting and communication. This presentation will highlight recent advancements in datalogging techniques and DPC tools developed by Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority that improve the way staff collect, visualize, and analyze water information to support MVCA’s flood forecasting and warning program and dam operations.
PRESENTERS:
	Juraj Cunderlik, Ph.D., P.Eng. Director of Engineering, Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority (MVCA) Juraj Cunderlik is the Director of Engineering at the Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority (MVCA). He is a senior water resources engineer with over 25 years of research and consulting experience in integrated water management, infrastructure design, climate change impacts and adaptation, numerical modelling, and regulatory compliance. At MVCA Juraj’s key responsibilities include managing the flood forecasting and warning, hazard identification and mapping, and capital infrastructure programs. Juraj is the author and co-author of more than 70 technical publications. He is a member of the Canadian Water Resources Association, the American Geophysical Union, the Canadian Dam Association, and the International Association of Hydrological Sciences.
	Daniel Post, Full Stack Developer at the Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority (MVCA) Daniel Post is a Full Stack Developer at the Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority (MVCA). Prior to his career in software development, he worked in logistics and forestry in diverse locations, including Afghanistan, Tonga, and northern British Columbia. After shifting careers to software development, Daniel moved from Vancouver to Ontario, joining the MVCA in 2021. At the MVCA, he focuses on gathering environmental data and developing tools that present this data in a user-friendly and accessible manner.

 

Mark Anderson | Grant Wilkinson

Non-Contact Radar Sensors: New Technology for Water Level Measurement
ABSTRACT:
This presentation will cover lessons learned from installing non-contact radar sensors for water level monitoring. Topics discussed include: determining suitable installation sites, the advantages and disadvantages of use, and tips for installation.
PRESENTERS:
	Mark Anderson, Senior Engineer – Flood Management, Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) Mark Anderson is a professional engineer who has been working for GRCA for over 20 years. He was initially involved in flood operations as a duty officer but he transitioned into a more senior role in 2015 when he became a senior operator – one of the engineers responsible for reservoir operations and issuing flood warnings. For most of his career with GRCA, Mark was focused on water quality issues in the watershed but at the beginning of 2024, he switched to a new role with a greater focus on flood management.
	Grant Wilkinson, Supervisor, Flood Infrastructure and Hydrometrics, Development and Engineering Services, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) Grant has worked in the water resources field for other Conservation Authorities and for private Engineering Consulting Firms since 2012. He leads TRCA’s Hydrometric Program to ensure the continued acquisition high quality data to support all business units within TRCA and assists with numerous projects to improve the safety of TRCA’s dams, channels and dykes.

 

Patrick Callaghan | Melanie Taylor

Gauge to Page: Improved Collection and Accessibility of Reliable Hydrometric Data while Managing the Challenges with Remote Monitoring Locations
ABSTRACT:
The Water Survey of Canada (WSC) is committed to improving the efficiency of hydrometric data acquisition and dissemination. By transitioning away from legacy telemetry systems and improving website accessibility, we’re striving to ensure the public has access to timely, accurate, and comprehensive hydrometric data. This presentation will outline recent improvements in data collection and accessibility. We will also discuss the specific challenges faced by our northern, remote monitoring stations and highlight some of the strategies we’ve implemented to ensure continuous data availability in these challenging environments.
PRESENTERS:
	Patrick Callaghan, Hydrometric Supervisor Northeastern Ontario, Water Survey of Canada, Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) Patrick Callaghan has a combined 19 years in the environmental and hydrometric fields. He began his career with the North Bay – Mattawa Conservation Authority as an intern with the regulations and flood forecasting team. He helped with the local adoption of the new CA regulations in 2006 and then was appointed as a Regulations Assistant. In 2009 he started working for the Water Survey of Canada as a Hydrometric Technician in the North Bay office servicing Northeastern Ontario. He had the opportunity to operate many of the gauges serviced by this office at one time or another. He became a Hydrometric Supervisor in 2018 and continues to share the oversight of the Northeastern Ontario sub-region. Patrick is a proud father to five children including three-month-old twins. His sleep will never recover.
	Melanie Taylor, Data Control and Client Services Lead Ontario-Quebec Region, Water Survey of Canada, National Hydrological Service – Meteorological Service of Canada, Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) Melanie Taylor started her career with the Water Survey of Canada as a Hydrometric Technician back in 2005 working out of the Burlington office. After many years of ‘boots on ground’ experience with Hydrometric data collection, she explored her interest in the data dissemination and publication stages and has been involved with this part of hydrometric data production since around 2013. Melanie also responds to all data requests and facilitates communications both externally and internally for both the Ontario and Quebec Regions. As a mom of two, Melanie enjoys travelling with her family and spending time outdoors whenever she can.

 

Derrick Beach

Use of Hydraulic Modelling For Estimation of Discharge Rating Curves
ABSTRACT:
Derrick Beach is leading an initiative to investigate hydraulic modelling methods to improve estimates of flow rating curves, when traditional measurement and stage-discharge relationships do not apply. Preliminary results indicate that hydraulic modelling may be considered as a solution to difficult gauging sites. The presentation will provide an overview of the project and results of case studies.
PRESENTERS:
	Derrick Beach, Monitoring and Data Services, Meteorological Service of Canada, Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) Derrick Beach has been working in the water resources field for over 30 years on projects ranging in size from the Great Lakes watershed system to local subwatershed modelling and drainage works. Currently he works in Environment and Climate Change Canada’s National Hydrological Services, Science and Engineering Services group out of the Canadian Centre for Inland Waters in Burlington.

 

Mike Faye

Gauge Adjusted Radar Rainfall (GARR) and NowCasting Benefits, Potential Uses, Limitations, and Cautions
ABSTRACT:
The presentation will cover the advantages of GARR over rain gauges on their own, and showcase some differences in storm mapping from this summer’s extreme events in Peel (July 16, August 16-18). Peel’s current use for GARR rainfall and NowCasting data will be outlined, including real-time sewer flow forecasting using machine learning/AI. Lessons learned will be discussed for potential flood forecasting use case similarities.
PRESENTER:
	Mike Faye, Project Manager, Water & Wastewater Infrastructure Planning Public Works, Region of Peel Mike Faye is a project manager with Peel Region and is in charge of the contracts for flow and rainfall data. He has been working in the field of wet weather response to rainfall, primarily in wastewater systems, for over a decade.

 

Dave Kish

Reflecting On Historical Flooding and Lessons Learned in City of Kawartha Lakes
ABSTRACT:
Flooding has long been a significant challenge in the City of Kawartha Lakes, with historical events highlighting the municipalities vulnerability to extreme weather conditions. This presentation will focus on flooding incidents that have impacted the area and the subsequent response efforts and lessons learned. By reflecting on these historical events, we have learned critical lessons in flood management and community preparedness.
PRESENTER:
	Dave Kish, District Chief, Volunteer Operations, City of Kawartha Lakes As the District Chief of Volunteer Operations with the City of Kawartha Lakes, Dave Kish brings 34 years of experience in the Fire Service. He oversees the Volunteer Firefighter Divisions, managing 350 volunteer firefighters across 19 fire stations. His responsibilities include planning and organizing annual flooding operations in collaboration with operating partners and stakeholders. This encompasses preplanning, flood response operations, including sandbagging and coordinating post-flood recovery efforts.

 

Emma Haug-Kindellan | Ben Gallagher

Experiences & Lessons Learned from a Record-Breaking Rainfall Summer
ABSTRACT:
Co-presented by the City of Mississauga and Credit Valley Conservation (CVC), this presentation will summarize the two major storms experienced this summer, resulting in record-breaking rainfall totals in the GTA. This will include a synopsis of the storms, the observed flood impacts, the municipal emergency response effort and coordination with partner CAs / first responders and provide an overview of lessons learned / proposed initiatives for continued resiliency and emergency preparedness.
PRESENTERS:
	Emma Haug-Kindellan, Engineer, Watershed and Climate Change Risk Science, Credit Valley Conservation (CVC) Emma Haug-Kindellan is a Water Resources Engineer with the Watershed & Climate Change Risk Science division at Credit Valley Conservation. She has over eight years of experience in hydrologic/hydraulic modelling, floodplain mapping, municipal stormwater master planning, and stormwater management design. Emma holds a Professional Engineering License with PEO and has both an Honours Bachelor and Masters Degree in Water Resources Engineering from the University of Guelph.
	Ben Gallagher, Manager, Office of Emergency Management, City of Mississauga Ben Gallagher is the Emergency Manager for the City of Mississauga, Canada’s seventh largest city, where he has worked for the past six years. The City of Mississauga was the recipient of the 2022 Prepared Community Award, presented by the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM) Canada Chapter, and the 2022 Emergency Management Exemplary Service Award in the Resilient Communities category, presented by Public Safety Canada. Ben holds a Masters Degree in Public Safety from Wilfrid Laurier University, and an Honours Bachelor Degree in Disaster and Emergency Management from York University.

 

Ken Dion

Extending the Don River Valley to Provide Regulatory Flood Protection – Toronto Port Lands Case Study
ABSTRACT:
Centuries of lake infilling, tied to city-building on the Toronto waterfront of Lake Ontario, produced an extensive low-lying unconfined floodplain, resulting in approximately 500 hectares of land being at risk due to flooding from the Don River, under a Hurricane Hazel-sized flood event. This presentation will provide an overview of the various environmental assessments and resulting innovative projects that have been undertaken since 2003, to effectively extend the Don River Valley through the historical lake-filled areas, in order to reestablish a confined, naturalized river mouth that will permanently remove the risk of riverine flooding to this area.
PRESENTER:
	Ken Dion, Director, Port Lands Integration, Waterfront Toronto Ken Dion has been the Project Director for Port Lands Integration at Waterfront Toronto since October 2018. Prior to moving over to Waterfront Toronto, he was involved in the Environmental Assessment and broader planning for the Port Lands Project since 2002 through his time with Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA). Ken has managed several complex environmental assessments including the Lakeview Waterfront Connection Project, the Don Mouth Naturalization and Port Lands Flood Protection Project, Downtown Brampton Flood Protection Project, Broadview Eastern Flood Protection Project, and the Lower Don River West Remedial Flood Protection Project. Currently, Ken is involved with real estate and asset transactions for the Port Lands Project, environmental compliance and reporting, and facilitating coordination between various Port Lands Project elements. He is also involved with the coordination of other Capital Projects in the broader central Toronto area, and Indigenous Engagement and collaboration with Waterfront Toronto initiatives.

 

Resources

PDF versions of the workshops will be available on the MNR Extranet and the TRCA workshop page within two to three weeks after the workshop.

If you would like to receive the PowerPoint version of any presentation, please reach out to the presenter directly.

Flood Communication from SWMC:
Overview of Provincial and Local Flood Messages

Provincial Flood Messages
Purpose: Provides information on a developing high water issue where there is high uncertainty or expected prolonged conditions (spring melt).	Purpose: Provides consistent and timely information regarding the potential for flooding prior to its occurrence and/or to provide updated information during a flooding situation.
Criteria: Low-medium flood potential, spring freshet is approaching, ice breakup/jamming is possible.	Criteria: – 50mm of rainfall in less than a 24-hour period. – 15-25mm or more of runoff from a daily event (rain + snow). – 15mm or less of runoff from a daily event, and flow conditions are medium-high. – Site specific analysis indicates that thresholds or triggers will be approached or exceeded.
Time of Issue: Leading into or during freshet and/or when ice jamming or breakup is possible.	Time of Issue: Before flooding develops, lead time of 1-5 days.

Local Flood Messages
Purpose: General notices of potential/existing watershed conditions that could pose a risk to personal safety or have the potential to lead to flooding.	Purpose: Notification that the potential for flooding exists. Issued when over bank flow or high lake levels are expected.	Purpose: Most serious flood message type declaring that a flood is imminent or occurring.
Criteria: Dependent on local watershed characteristics.	Criteria Highly dependent on local conditions and criteria.	Criteria: Flooding is imminent or occuring.
Flood Outlook: Potential for flooding or unsafe conditions based on the development of heavy rain or snow melt.	Time of Issue Before flooding develops, lead time of one to five days.	Time of Issue: Based upon weather and water level monitoring systems and models and may be updated depending on weather and runoff conditions or high lake level conditions.
Water Safety: Potential for dangerous river conditions, but no flooding is expected.

Flood forecasting and warning resources are available from the SWMC Extranet

Hurricane Hazel Videos

To commemorate the 70th anniversary of Hurricane Hazel, we are sharing a selection of videos that offer a detailed reflection on this historic event.

These videos provide valuable insights into the impact and legacy of Hurricane Hazel, offering a deeper understanding of its significance.

Acknowledgements

We would like to extend our sincere thanks to the following:

• Pearson Convention Center, for providing a wonderful space for our event and ensuring everything ran smoothly. Special thanks to the servers and staff for their exceptional service throughout the day.
• Survey Prizes provided by:
• Upper Thames River Conservation Authority
• Conservation Halton
• Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority (LSRCA)
• Grand River Conservation Authority
• Conservation Ontario
• Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA)
• South Nation Conservation
• Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority
• Credit Valley Conservation (CVC)
• Quinte Conservation
• Attendees and Presenters, your participation and contributions have been invaluable in making this event a success.

Thank you to everyone involved for your support and engagement.